BOXING: Tracy Patterson Day declared in Ulster County (video)

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and retired boxer and recent New York State Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Tracy Harris Patterson pose with the Ulster County legislature proclamation that declared April 3, 2014 as Tracy Harris Patterson Day.
Jesse Disbrow — Daily Freeman

KINGSTON >> April 3, 2014 will always be known as Tracy Harris Patterson Day thanks to a Ulster County proclamation.

It was one of those perks Ulster County Executive Mike Hein was happy he had, to be able to recognize people who have achieved great things and also giving back to the communities in Ulster County.

It certainly didn’t hurt that the two were long time friends.

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Patterson, a New Paltz resident and two-time former boxing world champion, was honored with a plaque with the proclamation. Last Sunday, Patterson and his adoptive father Floyd were inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

Hein and Tracy Patterson grew up together in New Paltz and Hein said it was a great honor to recognize someone who is not just an accomplished athlete, but a great person.

Patterson, 49, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, continues to work with youth, now that he is retired as a boxer.

Patterson’s last fight came in 2001.

“It is with great pride that I get the opportunity to be able to name today, April 3, Tracy Harris Patterson across Ulster County,” Hein said. “His recent induction into the hall of fame is a crown jewel on a career that finds this incredible balance of professional success and community involvement.

“We truly are blessed that he and his wife call Ulster County their home.”

Patterson, who went 63-8-2 in his boxing career with 43 knockouts, was inducted along with his father into the third ever class of the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

Floyd, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, died in 2006 at the age of 71 and was inducted posthumously. Floyd (55-8-1), himself was a two-time world champion.

His influence on New York boxing goes beyond that, as he also served as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.

Both Hein and Tracy Patterson fondly recalled Floyd’s gym in New Paltz. The gym gave thousands of kids opportunities they may not have received otherwise.

Tracy himself owed a lot of his boxing success to his father, and thought it was happy that they could share the honor.

“To be going in with my dad, who mentored me as a kid, from 11 years old through the amateur ranks and professional ranks,” Patterson said. “To receive that honor was real special,

“I just wish he could have been there as well to have seen it.”

Patterson thought that the induction ceremony was spectacular and complimented NYS Hall of Fame president Bob Duffy and the hall of fame committee on the job they did. He said he was honored and thankful to be there.

Getting both father and son elected into the hall of fame together was not planned, according to Tracy, but he couldn’t have asked for a better result.

He also couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to have a day named in his honor, then to have it done by a lifelong friend.

“This really is right up there with (being elected into the hall of fame), especially coming from a man, Executive Hein, who is a good friend of mine and who I have known for a lot of years,” Patterson said. “For this to take place today from him is real special for me and my family.”

Tracy’s wife Connie and son Terrance were on hand to share in the ceremony, as well as other friends and members of the County Executive’s office. Patterson brought both of his world championship belts, as well as the custom-made belt the hall of fame gave him when he was inducted.

Tracy fought in New York 26 times, including fighting in Poughkeepsie nine times, and twice at Madison Square Garden.